MASHISHING — Residents and business owners in Mashishing (formerly Lydenburg) have voiced strong concern after reports emerged that the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality intends to introduce a levy on households and businesses that use solar panels.
Local traders fear blow to solar uptake
Solar panel installer and business owner C.P. Prinsloo warned the levy would damage his trade and discourage households from switching to rooftop solar. He described what he sees as a lack of public engagement over the matter and said persistent municipal infrastructure problems are already undermining electrification efforts.
“There were no public meetings or anything telling us what they want to do or whatever. It’s going to have an effect on the business. People are going to be scared to install solar because they have to pay a levy, but on the other hand, they don’t have constant electricity supply because the municipality is running out of maintenance,” Prinsloo said.
Prinsloo added that voltage in some homes and businesses can fall as low as 150 volts, a level he said makes normal commercial activity difficult. He said poorer maintenance and unreliable supply push residents towards solar as an alternative, not a luxury.
Municipality denies introducing a solar levy
Executive Mayor Friddah Nkadimeng denied that the municipality has applied or intends to apply a special levy specifically for solar users. She said the municipality only charges for connectivity — a basic service fee — and that any new municipal charges would follow regulated processes and public participation.
“We don’t, and we have not, applied any levy to anyone,” Nkadimeng said. “What we are charging, we charge them only for the connectivity, which is a basic service that we are normally charging. And should we do such things, we don’t just apply things in the municipality. The municipality is regulated. We do public participation; we’ve got that chances when we have meet with the community, and whatever new thing that we introduce in the municipality, we start with the community.”
The mayor’s response follows social media posts and local complaints that suggested an illegal or secret charge was being prepared and shared by civic groups.
What residents want and what to watch for
Community concern centres on three linked issues: shrinking municipal maintenance and unreliable supply, the prospect of extra charges on solar adopters, and an apparent lack of early public consultation. Local business owners say a targeted levy would penalise people trying to secure their own energy, at a time when municipal services are strained.
- Transparency: Residents want clear municipal communication and verified documentation if any new tariff is considered.
- Public participation: Stakeholders expect formal public meetings and written notices before any new charge is introduced.
- Service improvement: Users say the municipality must prioritise maintenance to remove the incentive to go off-grid.
Practical implications for householders and small businesses
If a solar-specific levy were to be introduced, it could alter the payback period for rooftop systems and slow adoption among middle- and low-income households. Prinsloo warned this would disproportionately affect local installers and limit job opportunities linked to renewable-energy installation and maintenance in the region.
| Stakeholder | Position |
|---|---|
| Solar business owners | Opposed — say levy will hurt business and deter installations |
| Thaba Chweu Municipality (Mayor) | Denies any solar-specific levy; cites standard connectivity charges and commitment to public participation |
What residents can do now
At this stage there is no formal municipal notice of a solar levy according to the mayor. Residents who are concerned should request written clarification from the Thaba Chweu municipal office and attend any scheduled public participation meetings. Keeping evidence of correspondence and published municipal tariffs will be important if the matter escalates.
Energy policy at municipal level sits at the intersection of service delivery, municipal revenue and household resilience. As communities across Mpumalanga weigh up the costs and benefits of disconnecting from an unreliable grid, clear municipal engagement and accountability will determine whether renewable uptake becomes a community asset or a source of contention.
Local residents and businesses have signalled they will continue to demand clarity and a public forum to discuss any proposed changes that affect their electricity bills and the viability of the local solar industry.
Nomsa Mahlangu, Mbombela
